What you don't see!

I thought I would take a moment and share with you what I do behind the scenes before you place an order! I won't go into too much detail (I know people love to copy others work) but you can see a glimpse. Did you know I am the first person who fixed a photo on an urn & keepsake box? There are now a couple others who've came out with cheaper versions of pet urns with store bought unfinished wood boxes. My heart dropped when I first saw them and felt betrayed but I can't possibly make an urn for everyone in the world myself and I pride myself building these from the ground up with the highest quality that I know. I spent a whole year changing these, experimenting and making them perfect. When every person says " this looks so much better in person" you know you have done it right! Usually pictures can be deceiving in a negative way but my creations still give you a nice surprise when you can actually see the quality of my work. I create these to last for generations not a few years. With all that rambling that I was not going to type...lol.... check out what happens before you place an order:

1) My husband, Jeff builds all the wood boxes!

2)He stacks them up and I start wood filling all the nail holes.

3)He cuts all the grooves in the lids so I can place the hinges.

4)Now I am ready to start sanding each one!

5)Whew! It gets a little sandy on my sanding belt!

6)Now the rough sanding is done! I will hand sand each one so we have soft edges.

7)I brand the bottom of each one.

8)I add a wood piece inside. This catches the lid and keeps it tight. I love this option so we don't need a latch that interfere's with pictures.

9)I stain each one with dark walnut

10)Now the stain will dry over night.

11)No matter how many gloves I wear, it still gets on my hands! Yuck! But- I am not afraid to get dirty :)

I will spend the next 5 days sealing each one sanding in between coats.

This whole process takes 7-10 days to complete. After they are finished, I add the hinges. The hinges are very difficult. It is so strategic getting each lid on straight and matching up perfectly to touch the inside wood piece. It is truly a science and we have spent many hours trying to find a better solution but have failed. My husband says "get rid of the wood piece and save yourself hours of time." I say" No way, the design is brilliant!" HA! We go back and fourth on this wood piece all the time. When he hears me yelling his name because I need help after struggling with one for 30 minutes, he is back to " get rid of the wood piece." LOL! If you have ordered an urn from me, Don't you find the wood piece inside to be helpful?

After the hinges are on, they are ready for your order! Those who have ordered with me know the rest of the process! You know I love to share photo's as I go along so you love your special creation. Thanks for joining me behind the scenes! ​Katie